Workers Comp Insurance for Roofers in Illinois: Requirements and Average Costs

Illinois requires workers compensation coverage for all employers with one or more employees. For roofing contractors, this means coverage is mandatory as soon as you hire your first worker. Illinois's roofing workers comp rates are among the higher in the Midwest, reflecting the fall exposure and injury severity in roofing work.

Quick Answer

Estimated workers comp premiums for Illinois roofing contractors:

Business Size	Annual Premium Range
1 to 3 employees	$8,000 to $18,000 per year
4 to 10 employees	$18,000 to $42,000 per year
10 to 25 employees	$42,000 to $95,000 per year

Illinois roofing workers comp premiums are higher than Georgia and Texas but lower than New York and California. The combination of the state's benefit levels and the NCCI 5551 class code rate drives costs.

Illinois Workers Comp Coverage Requirements

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) requires employers to maintain workers comp coverage for all employees. There is no minimum employee threshold in Illinois. One employee means you need coverage.

Corporate officers: Illinois corporate officers are employees for purposes of the Workers' Compensation Act unless they file an election to be excluded. The exclusion must be approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Subcontractors: Illinois applies an economic reality test to determine employee vs. independent contractor status. Uninsured subcontractors who are legally employees can result in their payroll being included in your premium audit.

IDOL enforcement: the Illinois Department of Labor can issue stop-work orders and penalties for employers operating without required workers comp. Penalties are assessed per day of non-compliance.

What Workers Comp Covers for Illinois Roofers

Medical Benefits

All authorized medical treatment for work-related injuries with no dollar cap. Illinois workers comp directs initial treatment through the Illinois workers comp medical system.

Temporary Total Disability

Two-thirds (66.67%) of the average weekly wage during the period of disability, subject to Illinois state maximums. Illinois TTD benefits are generally higher than the national average.

Permanent Partial Disability

Illinois uses a combination of scheduled benefits for specific body parts and wage differential calculations for more serious permanent disabilities. Illinois's permanent disability benefits are among the more generous in the country.

Death Benefits

Surviving dependents receive ongoing income benefits plus burial expenses.

Common Roofing Injuries in Illinois

• Falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolding (most severe injury category)
• Weather-related injuries: ice and snow on roofs create slip hazards in winter
• Heat illness during Illinois summers
• Back injuries from carrying shingles on steep slopes
• Nail gun injuries and lacerations from roofing tools
• Eye injuries from debris and roofing materials
• Chemical exposure from roofing adhesives, coatings, and solvents

Illinois roofing work has a distinct seasonal risk profile. Winter conditions create ice and cold-related injury exposure not present in Southern states.

NCCI Class Code 5551 in Illinois

Illinois roofing contractors use NCCI class code 5551 for roofing work. The Illinois rate for this code, set by NCCI and approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance, is among the higher construction rates in the state.

All roofing employees should be classified under 5551. Administrative and clerical employees use lower-rate office codes. Misclassification results in audit adjustments.

Illinois Roofing Licensing

Illinois does not have a statewide roofing contractor license. However, many Illinois municipalities and counties require local roofing licenses, which may include proof of workers comp coverage. Chicago and Cook County have specific roofing licensing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois require workers comp for a sole proprietor roofer with no employees?

Sole proprietors in Illinois without employees are generally not required to carry workers comp for themselves. However, once you hire an employee, coverage becomes mandatory immediately. Solo roofers who work as subcontractors may need to provide certificates of insurance to the general contractors they work for, which often requires a policy even without employees.

What happens if my Illinois roofing company is caught without workers comp?

The Illinois Department of Labor can issue a stop-work order requiring all work to cease. Penalties are assessed at $500 per day of non-compliance. The employer must obtain coverage and pay penalties to lift the order. IDOL publishes stop-work orders publicly.

How do I manage my Illinois workers comp costs as a roofing contractor?

Maintain a clean claims history to keep your experience modifier low. Document all safety training, require certificates from subcontractors before they start, and promptly report any injuries to your carrier. Even one serious fall claim can raise your modifier above 1.0 for three policy years.

My Illinois roofing subcontractors claim to be self-employed. Does that affect my workers comp?

Illinois's economic reality test looks at the actual work relationship, not just the label. If a subcontractor works exclusively for you, uses your equipment, and follows your direction, they may be classified as an employee at audit. Require independent roofing subcontractors to carry their own workers comp and provide current certificates.

Does Illinois workers comp cover roofing employees who are hurt during cleanup after a storm?

Yes. Post-storm cleanup and restoration work performed by your roofing crew within the scope of their employment is covered under workers comp. Document that the work is within the normal scope of roofing operations.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. Requirements and premiums vary by carrier and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation.

Sources

• Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
• Illinois Department of Labor
• Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305)
• NCCI